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Oslo is the capital and the most populous city in Norway. It was established as a municipality (formannskapsdistrikt) on 1 January 1838. Following a spelling reform, it was known as Kristiania from 1877 until 1925, in which year its original Norwegian name of Oslo was restored.

Let’s go to the main point here, Oslo is the most expensive city in the whole world. So, the question is how can people travel with low-budget? A stay in Oslo doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, there is a lot you can do for free in the Norwegian capital. Here we present 40 things that travelers can take into consideration when coming to Oslo.

From cultural sites and outdoor activities to stunning viewpoints and seasonal festivals, this guide will show you 40 ways you can enjoy your visit to Oslo without breaking the bank. Use the menu below to hop between sections.

4. Norway has very strict rules on advertising cars as “green” – saying “cars can do nothing good for the environment except less damage than others” – Source

5. Norway has a minimum security island-prison where inmates are almost free to do as they wish. The criminals prisoned there are among Norway’s worst, but it has the lowest rate of re-offending in Europe, if not the world. – Source

6. The people of Oslo, Norway donate the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree in London every year in gratitude to the people of London for their assistance during WWII. – Source

7. To encourage more men to assume a greater share of care-giving responsibilities, Norwegian law states that 14 weeks of parental leave is reserved for fathers. Norway is the first country to introduce compulsory paternity leave. – Source

According to ancient legend, the name Norway comes from the old norse word Norðrvegr, which means “the way north”, a name given to this long and craggy coast because it was largely ice-free in the wintertime. However, when comparing Norway, Alaska, Greenland and Siberia, Norway has friendlier climate than the latitude would indicate, and the coldest areas in the winter are often inland or far to the north.

Even right now, there are many tourists visit Norway for its charming features and characteristics. In the Viking sagas, winter time is often summed up as “that winter he stayed at home at the farm”. It was a time to stay indoors and rest up and spend time with the family. Nonetheless, in this decade, with the advancement of human knowledge and technology, people are fond of experiencing the snow, seasonal food and drink, and other features that Norway possesses.

Furthermore, October, February and March are the best months for seeing the northern lights. The northern lights are most commonly seen in the north, but may on rare occasions be seen in all of Norway – even at the country’s southernmost point.

Fresh fish is also at its best in the winter, and many restaurant in Norway offer cod, halibut, salmon and trout of the highest quality at this time. Dishes based on fish, mutton, pork or venison will also be popular christmas food, and can be found at many restaurants in the run-up to the holiday season. Some traditional Norwegian dishes you should try are the “smalahove” (sheep’s head), the “lutefisk” (cod soaked in lye) and the pinnekjøtt (dried, salted and steamed sheep ribs).

Many people wonder how Norwegians celebrate Christmas, is there anything different from other European countries? Then we hope this post can provide some information for you to get a better look into a traditional Christmas of Norway.

From November to December, Norwegians start to prepare for their long season ofjuletid. Not only the adults are preparing for Christmas, but also the children have parties at school and kindergarten called nissfest. Norwegians divide Christmas into 3 parts. First is the Christmas Eve, which is only half a normal day, and it is the main day of celebration for Norwegians at Christmas.. People do their daily routines, go to work, and finish their shopping. At 16:00 the church bells ring throughout the city which means Christmas has officially started. This also starts the first Church service for Christmas. Family gather and have dinner with ribs, white Christmas sausage, lutefisk, pinnekjøtt or ham, winter vegetables, sour kraut, rich graxy and cranberry sauce. Gløgg, (mulled wine with spices, nuts and fruit) is a common Christmas drink. While dinning, there are Christmas carols playing in the background.

Coming up next is the Christmas Day, which officially marks the first day of Christmas. Following are 20 days of juletid (Christmas time) celebrations. This day is also a flag raising day in Norway. Many Norwegians have flag poles in their front yards or attached to the house for hanging the national flag on special days of the year. Christmas day is the day people pay a visit to family and friends. Churches have services and children play with their new toys or go outside in the snow. For dinner, extended family come together for a big Christmas feast

Boxing Day is known as Andre juledag (the Second Day of Christmas) and is also a public holiday to relax and enjoy family atmostphere. The time from Boxing Day until New Years Eve is called Romjul(Christmas Space) which is the ‘space’ between Christmas and New Years. It is the quiet time of Christmas where the streets are bare and the shops have limited hours as Norwegians spend this time with family. The local sledding hills and parks are filled with families skiing and sledding, and having bonfires and BBQs in the snow.

Christmas is the most beautiful time of the year, when people stop working for a while, get away the busy life and spend more time with friend and family!!! It is not what’s under the tree that matters, it is who’s gathered around with.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas XD

For more information and sources: http://mylittlenorway.com/2009/12/a-norwegian-christmas/